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Tuesday, April, 22, 2014 - 3:03:57 PM

Adam Jackson Photo

The Waterloo Siskins celebrate their first Cherrey Cup win in the past 20 years at the Allman Arena in Stratford. They bowed out of their semifinal series against Caledonia 4-1.

Back to work: Siskins staff back at it after Sutherland Cup loss

By Adam Jackson, Chronicle Staff

Coaching a Junior B hockey team may seem like a seasonal job.

But for Chris Lazary, just days after losing the Sutherland Cup semi-final series 4-1 to Caledonia, it’s back to work.

Lazary, who won a Cherrey Cup with the Waterloo Siskins in his first year as head coach, is working hard on preparing for the Siskins’ spring camp — and figuring out what needs to be done for next year.

“I have a bit of time off here, but it’ll be right back at it with spring camp and everything coming up,” said Lazary, who is currently in the midst of exams for a bachelors degree in accounting at York University.

For the 2014/2015 season, the Siskins will be without star backstop — and GOJHL rookie of the year — Leo Lazarev.

Lazarev was easily the most influential of the Siskins. The Moscow, Russia native finished the regular season with a 23-9-3 record, a 2.31 goals against average and a .928 save percentage.

He was drafted 24th overall by the Ottawa 67s, where he will most likely play next year.

The Siskins will also lose defenceman Josh DeFarias to his draft club in the London Knights.

Forward Ryan Taylor has also been in talks with Cornell University, while others on the team have put forward their intentions to try out for local university squads.

Veteran Andrew Brubacher will also not re-join the team, as he has aged out of the league.

While that does leave some holes for the Siskins for next season, Lazary is confident they will be filled in time for next season.

“It’ll be a lot of work to maintain that through next season,” said Lazary.

“Hopefully we get some phone calls from other teams who have called us before about players to help us fill out our roster,” said Lazary.

For Lazary, although he helped his team to the Siskins’ first Cherrey Cup (Midwestern conference championship) in 20 years, having the Sutherland Cup (GOJHL Junior B championship) slip away is hard to swallow.

“After the Cherrey Cup, I fully expected to win the Sutherland Cup, it’s still a bittersweet taste in my mouth. The Cherrey Cup tastes so nice, but once you get to that Sutherland Cup, that’s all you can think about,” said Lazary.

Lazary will also be looking for new team members. Assistant coach David Steele has accepted a position with the Midland Flyers Junior C team. That position, as well as the position of video coach, are available.

Christian Mroczkowski, the team’s captain for the 2013/2014 season, says at the beginning of the season, if he would have been told the Siskins would win the Cherrey Cup, he wouldn’t have believed it.

“We had some doubts at the beginning of the season,” said Mroczkowski, who finished the season tied for the Siskins points lead with Mitch Atkins.

Both finished the season with 51 points, Mroczkowski scored 20 goals and added 31 assists, while Atkins scored 22 and helped with 29 others.

“We achieved our goal and no one in the room is really — well, we are upset that we lost — but no one in the room is really disappointed about the loss,” said Mroczkowski.

“I think after this season, you’re going to see more fan support and more people coming out to games next season.”